Potato harvesting machine



Dec. 12, 1944. R, s, HERT'ZLER TAL 2,365,077

` l. PoTATo HARVETING MACHINE Filed ot. 2e, 1945 4 sheets-sheet 1 R.`-s. HERTZLER Erm. 2,365,077

POTATO HARVESTING MACHINE Dec. 12, 1.944.

4 She-etS-Shee't 2 Filed oct( 2s, 194s I INVENTORJ '175 #Alp/,f sa

v n- Vml- Dec. 12, 1944.l R, s, vl-n-RTZLER ETAL POTATO HARVESTING MACHINE Filed Oct. 28, 1 943 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 potatoes from A'Patented Dec. 12,

UNITED s'rA'i'as PATIENT OFFICE Po'rA'ro HARVESTING MACHINE Ralph S. Hertzler, Elverson, and Omar K. Umble.' Atglen, Pa.

Application October 28, 1943, Serial No. 507,978

6 Claims.

mechanism for elevating potatoes dug from the field, separating potatoes from undersize stones and potatoesyremoving attached vines vand delivering potatoesof selectedsize for marketing.

Still another object of our invention is to provide a positively driven potato harvesting mechanism in which potato vines attached to the potatoes may be readily removed and the potatoes classiiied as to size'and collected for marketing.

A furtherobject of our invention is to provide 'a construction of potato harvesting machine in which la set of adiustable rolls are mounted in position with respect to a conveyor mechanism for gripping the vines attached to potatoes as they are elevated immediately after digging from the fieldjfor'stripping the potatoes from the vines and delivering potatoes of selected size to. a collector for marketing.

A still'further object of our invention is to providev a mechanism for mounting a set of stripping rolls on a potato harvester whereby the rolls may be adjusted in a position according to the average growth of the potato vines in the fields to be harvested for more eiectively stripping the potatoes from the vines and collecting the potatoes for harvesting.

Another object of our invention is to provide an arrangement of stripping rolls for a potato harvesting machine in which the rolls are positively and continuously driven independently of obstructions which 'may be produced by the passage of the potato vines through the stripping rolls for insuring the more effective removal of the potato vines for collection and marketing.

Still another object vof our invention is to proe vide van arrangement of collecting means for potatoes movable to selected positions ior excluding debris, stones and undesired material from ceiving more stones, debris and undesired material than potatoes.

Other and further objects of our invention reside in the details of constructlonof the potato harvester as set forth morevfully in the speciiication hereinafter following by reference to the' accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the potato harvester of our invention shownconnected to a tractor for drawing the harvester over` the field for-plowing the potatoes for action o f the har-` vesting machine thereon; Fig. 2 is a plan view lof ya fragmentary portion of the potato harvesting machine showing the relationship of the convey ing mechanism to the .potato vine'stripping rolls of our invention; Fig. 3 is an end view of the potato vine stripping rolls with the associated conveyor leading to the potato collecting means, having parts broken away and illustrated in longitudinal section; Fig. 4 is an enlarged. end view of the potato vine stripping rolls and the associated drive mechanism associated therewith and illustrating the relation of the potato vine vstripping rolls to the conveyor that carries the potatoes to the potato collecting means; Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on line 5 5 o f Fig. 2 and illustrating the potato vine stripping rolls partially in section and the relationship thereof to the conveying means leading to the potato collecting means; Fig..6 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on line 6-6 of Fig. 2 and illustrating the relation o'f the potato vine stripping rolls to the end of the elevator conveyor with respect to the end of the elevator conveyor leading from the plow section of the harvester; Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view on line 'l-l of Fig; 2 illustrating the arrangement of the conveyor leading to the potato collecting means; Fig. 8 is a fragmentary -sectional view showing one of the extreme positions of the director means in the potato collecting end of the harvester; Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating one form of means we employ for adjusting the tension of the conveyor leading to the the potato 'collecting' means by directing the debris, stones and undesired material away from the potato collecting means at times when it appears that the harvesting machine may berepotato collecting means; Fig. 10 is an enlarged end elevational view showing the interconnecting means of the potato vine stripping rolls provided by our invention; Fig. 11 is a view illustrating the operation of the potato'vine stripping vrolls for removing potatoes from the potato yine in the harvester of our invention; Fig. 12 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on line |2-I2 ofrFig. 10 and showing the oating bearing construction of the potato vine stripping rollers'which is a special feature ot our invenharvester is to be used.

Referring to the drawings in detail, reference character I designates a standard tractor which is coupled with the potato harvesting machine ofY 'our invention which we have shown generally at 2. The potato harvesting machine comprises a `frame structure3 to which is pivotally mounted at the front thereof a plow carrier 4 having plow teeth 5. The plow carrier 4 may be lowered in position through suitable lever arrangements restricted by suitable guide means represented generally at 5 to enable the plow teeth 5 to project below the surface of the soil for plowing up the rows of potatoes in the eld and enclosing between the side walls of the carrier 4 the potatoes and vines attached thereto which may be picked up and conveyed upwardly between the side walls of frame 3 by the continuously moving conveyor represented at 1 in Fig. 2. The con veyor 1 travels over the guide roller 3 journaled between the side members 4 and over intermediate sprocket wheels 23 carried by shaft I5 journaled in frame 3 and over sprocket wheels I0 carried by shaft I6 journaled in frame 3 adjacent the top of the harvester.' The conveyor 1 returns below the frame 3 as shown in Fig. l and operates in continuous motion so long as engine II is being operated. Engine II is suitably supported on the chassis I2 of the harvester which is in turn supported by wheels I4 carried by a transverse axis in a position in which the harvester is substantially balanced about the transverse axis with a slight overbalance condition on the plow point end of the structure tending to maintain the plow point in engagement; with the earth by the'weight of the harvester. The tractor I when coupled to the frame 3 of the harvester sufficiently elevates the plow point 5 to enable the plow point 5 to remain out of engagement with the earth until adjusted to the desired angular position under control of the adjusting guide 6. The frame 3 provides journalling means for transverse shafts I5 and I6 which project beyond frame 3 and carries sprocket wheels thereon indicated at I1 and I3 interconnected by chain I9 which drives the endless conveyor 1. Engine II is coupled with a suitable driving means on shaft I5 which we have indicated in the form of a sprocket wheel 2| connected with sprocket wheel 20 on engine II through chain 22. Thus endless conveyor 1 is positively moved continuously over rollers 8, sprocket wheels 23 carried by shaft I5 and sprocket wheels III carried by shaft I5.

Potatoes, stones, dirt, debris land potato vines which are plowed upby plow point 5 engaged below the surface of the earth and pulled forward by tractor I, are thus elevated by endless conveyor 1. 1t will be observed that the endless conveyor 1 is composed of spaced parallel bars linked together at their extremities to form a continuous support. The bars are so spaced, however; that stones, dirt, debris and undersized potatoes may fall through the conveyor as the harvester progresses through the field subject to all of the shock and vibration incidental to the operation of engine lII and the generally rough terrain over which the harvester must operate.

A platform shown at 24 is supported on the chassis of the harvester and extends both longitudinally and transversely'of the harvester enabling attendants to walk along the platform while the harvester is being drawn by the tractor I to remove obstructions from the conveyor mechanism and throw oil any large oversize rocks or accumulation which may tend to impair 4the continuous operation of the machine. A suitable frame structure 25 serves to support the platform 24 with respect to the chassis of the harvester and with respect to the wheels I4 which are symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of the harvester for supporting the mass of the harvester in substantially balanced condition as hereinbe fore explained.

The harvester is provided with a transversely extending frame 23 which is supported by the chassis of the harvester along an axis which is substantially normal to the axis of the elevating conveyor 1 as shown more clearly in Fig. 2. Intermediate the transversely extending frame structure 26 and the frame structure 3 of the conveyor we arrange the potato vine stripping mechanism which is an important feature of our invention. The potato vine. stripping mechanism is supported by frame members 21 and 2l which project upwardly from side frames 3 of the elevating conveyor 1 and serve to support bearing brackets 29 and 39 in which the potato vine stripping rolls are journalled. We have developed they journalling arrangement for the potato vine stripping rolls very carefully as this is one of the essential features for insuring continuous and rapid action of the harvester. As shown more particularly in Figs. 10, 11 and 12, a shaft member 3| is journalled between brackets 23 and 30 and carries a yieldable roll 32 thereon formed from rubber, synthetic composition rubber or other yieldable plastic material which is fused or otherwise secured to the shaft 3 I and maintained in position to rotate therewith. To prevent relative rotation between the material of the yieldable roll 32 and the shaft 3|, we may provide projections 33 on shaft 3I which extend into the material of the rollforming a connection therewith. It is also entirely practicable to form shaft 3| of polygonal section to eliminate the tendency of relative rotation between the shaft and the yieldable roll 32. The projecting end of the shaft 3i carries a pulley member 34 having a recessed peripheral face 35 for receiving a correspondingly shaped belt 36 which is driven from pulley 31 carried by shaft I6 journalled in frame structure 3 of the harvester. Belt 33 is formed from rubber, synthetic rubber or other yieldable material and is capable of providing a slip drive connection in the event of obstructions accumulating at the vine stripping rolls as will be hereinafter explained more fully.

The yieldable roll 32 coacts with a simila yieldable roll 38 which is J'ournalled at opposite ends in slidable bearing members 39 and 4I. Each of the bearing members 39 and 40 are provided with guide plates 4I and 42, respectively, which serve to maintain the bearing members 39 and 40 within slots 43 and 44 formed in the bracket members 29 and 30, respectively. Bearing members 39 and 40 substantially float in the slots 43 and 44 in brackets 29 and 30 while being accurately aligned at all times by the over-lap of the plates 39 andy 42 with respect to the bracket members 29 and 30. The roll 38 is supported by 'tively driving each roll.

shaft 45 which is intimately connected with roll 39 by fusing of the rollto thev shaft and otherwise interconnecting the roll and the shaft through projections 49or by shaping the shaft lin polygonal section. Shaft 45 thus floats in aseaovv sprocket wheel 48 on the end of shaft 3| which is engaged by chain 49. Chain 49 is looped over oneside of sprocket wheel 41l as shown in Figs.

l0 'and 11 and passes around idler sprocket'wheel as thcy appear at the upperend of the conveyor 1. The shaft 45 of roller 38 also carries loosely mounted collar members. and 53 within which shaft 45 is free torevolve.' Shaft 3| also carries similar loose fitting collar members 54 and- 55 within which shaft 3| freely revolves; The periphery of the collar members are soshaped that spring belts shown at 59 and 51 may be looped over the aligned collar` members 52-54 and 53-55, respectively, tending to maintain-the yieldable rollers 32 and 33 in-intimate surface contact but free vto operate in the event that an unusually large obstruction tends to pass between the rolls. Under such conditions the lfloating bearings 39 and 49 slide in slots 43 and 44, displacing roll 39 vfrom roll 32 while continuing the positive drive ofv the rolls. Positive drive of roll 3.8 continues independently ofthe spacial relation of the rolls 38 and 32 as chain 49 is continuously in engagement with-the teeth `ofsprocket wheel 41 even though roll 38 and sprocket wheel 41 may be displaced upwardly along the slot 43 in bracket 29. The bands 59 and 51 tend to continuously urge rolls 32 and 33 intointimate contact opposing separation of the rolls and increasing the eiIectiveness of the rolls in stripping off potatoes represented at 58 in Fig. 11, from the potato vines, shown at 59 in Flgcll,v that pass between the rolls n and n.

As shown in Pig. 6, the rolls 32 and 38 are sup,

ported' at the required distance fromv the end of theelevating conveyor 1 to grip the potato vines and draw the potato vines between the rolls 32 and 38 as shown in' Fig.' 11 foil stripping oi the potatoes which adhere to the/vines, whichpotatoes drop to an endless conveyor 99 of suitable material such as canvas mounted beneath 'the rolls. The potato vines, debris, stones and undesired material which may be pulled by the rolls 32 and 39 are discharged down an inclined chute 9|, and fall through 'an open frame indicated atl 92.as an extension vfrom frame 29. If desired a collector in the form of a wagon or in the form ported by transversely extending roller members 93 and 94 which are journalled at opposite ends between the sides of frame 29. Shaft 85 is jour.'

nalled at one end inside frame 29 and at the other end in intermediate frame 99 supported by the chassis. Shaft 91 carrying .roller member 94 is also journalled at one end in side frame 29 and at the opposite end in intermediate frame 99 and projects beyond the opposite side frame 29 carrying sprocket wheels 98 and 99 thereon adjacent one end and sprocket wheel 1| adjacent the opposite end. In order to impart the required tension to endless conveyor99, we provide an adjustable roll 19 adapted to be varied in position with respect toconveyor 99 for controlling the tension on the conveyor. Adjustable roll 15Ais carried by adjustable brackets 19 and 11 adjustably secured lto one ofthe side frames 29 and the intermediate frame 99. Shaft 91 is positively driven from sprocket wheel 1| which is 5 engaged by chain .12 which is driven by sprocket 13 'on shaft 14 which is journalled between bracket 15 and supporting member 19 carried by one of the side frame members 2 1. Shaft 14 carries bevel gear 11 which meshes with bevel gear 19 carried by driven shaft I9 whereby movement is imparted to the-conveyor 99. A yieldable roll 19 is carried by shaft `99 and journaled at opposite ends in bracket members 9|. The yieldable roll 19 is mounted in amanner similar to the mounting of roll 39 in' that roll 19 is supported is driven by chain 81 which engages sprocket.

wheel 99 thereon and which operates over sprocket wheel 99 carried by shaft 91 and over idler sprocket 99 carried by adjustable bracket support'represented at 9|. The adjustable bracket support 9| is adjustable in position under control o f bolt device 9|a which is selectively xed in the slotteddepending arm 9Ib secured to, frame 3.

The arrangement of sprockets. chains, floating bearing and associated parts heretofore described are duplicated at the opposite ends of the roll and we have indicated corresponding parts by.l

corresponding primedreference characters as for example at 9|', 82', 93', 9,5', 99', 9|', l9|a, 9|b',

etc. Thus the vines which may` have fa11en through the spacebetween the upper end of conveyor 1 and the set of rollers 32 and 39 may be discharged between conveyor 99 and the yieldable roller memberv 19. Surface'89 of roller member '|9'is'pliable and resilient and serves to clean the potatoes that are delivered to the delivery conveyor we have represented at 93. Also, under,

Vsize potatoes, stones and debris may also be eliminated through the space provided at 92 between the adjustably mounted yieldable roller 19 and the lower end of the delivery conveyor. Delivery conveyor 93 is formed from canvas or other ilexible material.

The delivery conveyor 93 is supported on rollers.

94 and 95 journaled in the side frames 29-29. The conveyor is driven by a sprocket wheelf 99 carried by shaft 91 andengaging sprocket chain 91 which operates over sprocket wheel 98 on the end of shaft 99 supporting roller 95. The delivery conveyor 93 operates over the transversely extending frame portion' |99 extending between the side frames 26 and returns beneath the transversely extending portion for effecting continu'ous operation. The tension on the endless conveyor belt 93 is controlled by an adjustable bearing support for shaft 99 which carries roller 95. The bearing supportis represented at |0i operative in slots |02 formed in the opposite side frames 28. Adjustable screw members |03 pass through end plates |04 associated with the side frame members 26 for adjusting the position of the roll 95 with respect to the upper end of the conveyor.

.- It will be observed that the intermediate frame 66 extends in the form of a partition longitudinally of the conveyor. This divides the delivery conveyor into two sections represented at |05 and |08. Section |05 may then be used as an area into which debris, stones, broken portions of vines and undersize potatoes and undesired material may be thrown between attendants who walk along platform 24 while the harvester is in operation.v The undersize potatoes,` debris, broken vines Aand undesired material thrown into section |05 may then be discharged down chute |01 shown in Figs. 2 and 9. Chute |01 is stationary adjacent the end of the conveyor 93 for discharging material directly-beneath the end of the conveyor into bags or a collector or directly onto the field.

A slidable arrangement of adjustable chute is provided for the main section |06 of the delivery conveyor as represented in Figs. 2, 3, '7 and 8. The chute` |08 is provided with oppositely directed inclined faces |09 and ||0 which are supported on the slide whichis supported by one side Wall of the frame at 26 and by the intermediate partition 66. The support for the chute slides within grooves ||2 and ||4 in members which form continuations of one of the side frames, 26 and intermediate partition 66, These slides 4formed at the sides of the frame 26 and intermediate frame 66 include spring means ||5 which tend to frictionally grip the adjustable supports and retain the chute in the position in which it is moved. Thus in the position illustrated in Fig. 3 the chute directs potatoes from the delivery end of the conveyor ,into a potato collector such as a bag hung from the harvester or a low truck indicated in broken lines at ||6 in Fig. l, which may be drawn behind the harvester. When, however, it is found that a large amount of material being delivered may be rocks, debris or undesired material, chute |08 is shifted to the position illustrated in Fig. 8 whereupon the rocks, debris and undesired material is directed away from the collector and drops beneath the harvester and does notfall in the collector. As soon as therun of potatoes is again restored the chute |08 is shifted back to the positionillustrated in Fig. 3 and collection of the potatoes proceeds.

This condition may be often encountered in a `attached to the frame member pass.

with slots which we have shown, for example, at 29a through which securing bolt members 29h By loosening these bolts the position of the potato vine stripping rolls 32 and 38 with respect to the discharge end of the elevating conveyor 1 may be changed in accordance with the growth of the eld where the harvester may approach an area potato vines so that the rolls may more effectively grip the ends of the vines as they project over the top of the conveyor immediately below the top thereof for-stripping the potatoes from the vines. In this arrangement, the slip belt 36 is also provided with an adjustment device in the form of an adjustable rod support ||1 carrying roller ||8 engageable with slip belt 86. The rod device ||1 is slotted at ||9 and may be secured ln any selected position by means of adjustable screw device |20 for changing the tension on the slip belt 36 as the spacial relation of the set of rolls 32 and 38 is changed with respect to the delivery end of the elevator conveyor 1. As these adjustments are made and positions changed, a corresponding change must be made in the effective length and angular position ofthe chute corresponding to the xed chute 6| in Fig. 6. In`

the arrangement illustrated in Fig. 13, we provide a chute |2| which is pivoted with respect to frames 21 and 28 at |22 and may be changed in angular position by changes in the position of links represented at |23 pivotally connected at |24 to the ends of chute |2| and adjustably connected through slots |25 and set screws |28 with the frame members 21 and 28. The chute |2| is slotted at |21 for the passage of bolt membersA for meeting a wide variety of conditions existingA with the diierent growths'of' potato vines in various geographical localities.

Thus, it will be readily seen that by virtue of the employment of the canvas or flexible conveyors 60 and 93 and the coaction of the pliable surface 88 of roller member 19, the potatoesA v emerge clean and free from dirt since they are not damaged, gouged or bruised by contact with metallic cleaning media which often make them unsalable because of rot and spoilage setting in before the potatoes reach the sorting machines.

It will be observed that the potatoes are also subjected to a rolling and tumbling action on the canvas conveyor belts and 93 which further removes dirt so that the potatoes emerge relatively free from foreign matter, hence presenting an attractive, marketable appearance.

We have found the structure of our invention highly practical in operation but we realize that modifications and changes may be made in tlie construction and arrangement of parts and we intend no limitations upon our invention other than may be imposed by the scope of the appended claims.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is as follows:

1. In a potato harvesting machine, a conveyor for elevating potato vines bearing potatoes thereadjusting the spacial relation of said set of rolls with respect to the upper end of said first mentioned conveyor.

2. In a potato harvesting machine, a conveyor for elevating potato vines bearing potatoes thereon from the harvesting area, a set of yieldable rolls mounted below the upper end of said conveyor for gripping the potato vines and stripping the potatoes .therefrom as the potato vines .are advanced over the top of said conveyor, a conveyor disposed beneath said set of rolls for receiving the potatoes stripped from the vines, and means for simultaneously driving each of said conveyors and said set of rolls, said last mentioned means including a slip connection drive for said set of rolls whereby stoppage in rotation of said rolls does not influence the continuous drive of said conveyors. y

3. In a potato harvesting machine, a conveyor for elevating potato vines bearing potatoes thereon. from the harvesting area, a set of yieldable rolls mounted below the upper end of said conveyor for gripping the potato vines and stripping the potatoes therefrom as the potato vines are advanced over the top of said conveyor, a conveyor disposed beneath said set 4of rolls for receiving the potatoes stripped from the vines, a delivery conveyor mounted in coacting relation to said last mentioned conveyor, said delivery conveyor being inclined upwardly and operating as a sorting table, a potato cleaning roll interposed between the end of said second mentioned conveyor and said delivery conveyor, and means for simultaneously driving said potato cleaning roll, all oi said conveyors and said set of rolls.

4. In a. potato harvesting machine, a conveyor for elevating potato vines bearing potatoes thereon from the harvesting area, a set of yieldable rolls mounted below the upper end of said conveyor for gripping the potato vines and stripping the potatoes therefrom as the potato vines are advanced Jover the top of said conveyor, a consaid lastmentloned conveyor, said delivery conveyor being inclined upwardly and operating as a sorting table, a potato cleaning roll interposed between the end of said second mentioned con- Vveyor and said delivery conveyor, means for floatingly journaling said potato cleaning roll andl supporting said potato cleaning roll in adjustable spacial relation to. adjacent ends of said second mentioned conveyor and said delivery conveyor, and means for simultaneously driving said potato cleaning roll, all of said conveyors and Vsaid set of rolls.

5. In a potato harvesting machine-f a conveyor forelevating potato vines bearing potatoes thereon from the harvesting area, a, set of yieldable rolls mounted below the upper end of said conveyor for gripping the potato vines'and stripping the potatoes therefrom as the potato vines are advanced over the top oi' said conveyor, la conveyor disposed beneath said set of rolls i'or receiving the potatoes stripped from the vines, a delivery conveyor disposed adjacent the end of said last mentioned conveyor and inclined upwardly therefrom for forming a sorting table, and

a chute disposed adjacent the delivery end of said last mentioned conveyor, said chute including oppositely directed inclined delivery surfaces, means for shifting said lchute to either of two positions for vdirecting material from the delivery end of said last mentioned conveyor to a position below the conveyor or to a collecting position beyond the end of said conveyor, and means for simultaneously driving all of said conveyors and set of yieldable rolls. 1

6. In a potato harvesting machine, a conveyor for elevating potato vines bearing potatoes thereon from the harvesting area, a set of yieldable rolls mounted below the upper end of said conveyor for gripping the potato vines and stripping the potatoes therefrom as the potato vines are advanced over the top of said conveyor, a conveyor disposed beneathsaid set of rolls for re, ceiving the potatoes stripped from the vines, a`

delivery conveyor disposed adjacent the end of said,last mentioned conveyor and inclined upwardly therefrom for forming a sorting table, a partition extending longitudinally of said last mentioned conveyor for dividing said last mentioned conveyor into separate sections, independent delivery chutes on each side of said partition coacting with the separate sections of said conveyor, and means for simultaneously driving each `of said conveyors and said set of rolls.

RALPH s. HERTEER, OMAR K. UMBLE.

said 

